On June 5, I attended St. Paul Central’s commencement exercises at the St. Paul RiverCentre. I have never experienced a more rude and inconsiderate display of audience disruption. We were unable to hear anything the speakers had to say, and when they were reading the graduates’ names, missed many because of the noise.

The master of ceremonies tried to restore some order so those in attendance and the graduates could experience this occasion with some order but was unsuccessful. To the graduates, congratulations; to the disrupters, shame on you, you set a horrible example for the young people in the audience and in the graduating class on how to behave.

RICHARD HEWITT

Woodbury

At least build

the bridge

I know this letter will offend some friends, family members and fellow Democrats. But I must say that I am sick and tired of the Sierra Club putting itself in the way of building projects that improve communities.

The proposed Stillwater bridge is needed and has been since the 1960s. I remember my father driving the family back to St. Paul from Cumberland, Wis., and being tied up in traffic. He wondered at the time when the @#%* they were going to build a new bridge.

Adding to this discourse, I happen to like beautiful homes lining our shores. I love the looks of Lakes Minnetonka, White Bear and Vermilion.

And forgive me, but I would actually enjoy a Santa Monica-like environment stretching from Stillwater all the way down to Hudson (including a Ferris wheel, boardwalk and major roller coaster).

I know that this may seem sacrilegious to some, but at least get the Stillwater Bridge done; its time is overdue.

DAVID STEINECK

Cottage Grove

Bridge would be more scenic

Sierra Club transportation chairman Mathews Hollinshead (“Sierra Club sues to block new St. Croix bridge again,” June 6) calls the view looking south from Stillwater a “grand vista.” Well, not really; not yet, anyway. The view’s main focal point to the south is Bayport’s Allen S. King power plant. It so dominates the view of the St. Croix that a bridge in front of it would actually complement the scene.

DAVID PAULSON

Bayport

More ways

to quit

Thanks so much for your story on a dozen ways to quit smoking (“Kick butt,” June 4), and for mentioning the QuitPlan Helpline as a resource for Minnesota smokers.

Our phone helpline is actually just one of five QuitPlan Services that ClearWay Minnesota offers to help smokers quit. We also have a quit-smoking Web site (quitplan.com), face-to-face counseling services in medical centers across the state, specialty services for members of Minnesota’s diverse communities, and a program in which employers can arrange for free counseling sessions at the workplace.

Minnesotans should know that the fastest and easiest way to get help quitting smoking is by calling the QuitPlan Call Center at 1-888-354-PLAN (7526). Operators will direct them to the best available service.

So, there are actually more than a dozen ways for Minnesotans to stop smoking. Good luck to everyone who wants to quit, and congratulations on making such a healthy choice for your body.

ANN WENDLING, M.D.

Woodbury

The writer is director of intervention programs for ClearWay Minnesota.

Deal with cuts, St. Paul

St. Paul should learn to live and operate within its own means like any corporation and as other cities do. St. Paul should not totally rely on state aid.

Mayor Coleman, city budget cuts can be done.

Coleman can trim budgets, personnel and unnecessary and wasteful city spending without sacrificing too many services. Yes, mayor, all cities have some form of unnecessary and wasteful spending. St. Paul residents will understand and get by with your choices of trimming personnel and/or services.

The city will not implode without the state aid. St. Paul has to make some tough choices – live with it, Mayor Coleman. St. Paul and other cities that are financially sound should not demand aid and should not receive it. With that said, those cities that truly need it should receive it.

ROBERT J. REARDON, JR.

Rosemount

Fiscal restraint

In “Coleman warns about new budget troubles” (June 1), Mayor Chris Coleman blamed Gov. Tim Pawlenty for St. Paul’s $15 million shortfall because the governor vetoed the tax bill.

Perhaps St. Paul would not have a shortfall if Coleman showed the same fiscal restraint as the governor.

RON SCHAAF

St. Paul

Science and faith

I’m pretty sure creationists who get cancer are 100 percent behind a cure that is based on science and not faith. Cancer doesn’t give you the luxury to dabble in anything but reality.

FRANK ERICKSON

Minneapolis

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